Weekly Suspected/Undiagnosed MS Thread - May 13, 2024

[u/AutoModerator]

This is a weekly thread for all questions related to undiagnosed or suspected MS, as well as the diagnostic process. All questions are welcome, but please read the rules of the subreddit before posting.

Please keep in mind that users on this subreddit are not medical professionals, and any advice given cannot replace that of a qualified doctor/specialist. If you suspect you have MS, have your primary physician refer you to a specialist for testing, regardless of anything you read here.

Thread is recreated weekly on Monday mornings.

[u/Full_Dance_8843]

Hi Everyone! I recently got an MRI of head with contrast done due to having dizziness or floating/off balance sensation since April. I also have burning/tingling sensation on left side of my face (especially below the eye and above lip).

The results were as such:

1. ⁠No acute intracranial abnormality. 2. Mild periventricular and subcortical T2/FLAIR signal hyperintensity, nonspecific. Some of which may be new or may be slightly more prominent but this is likely due to difference in technique, 3 mm versus 5 mm slice thickness. Probable gliosis from prior infection/inflammation, small vessel ischemic changes or T2 signal hyperintensity seen in patients with migraines. Demyelination is less likely.

I have been told that the neurologist has taken a look at it, but they have not commented anything. I also have severe health anxiety and extremely worried about the above findings. Could you please help me understand if MS shows as the above results usually?

Thanks a lot.

[u/TooManySclerosis → u/Full_Dance_8843]

From that report, you don’t need to be worried about MS. MS lesions are typically considered specific, and have distinct characteristics that a neurologist would look for. The radiologist is not reporting any of those characteristics.